by Enrico Del Padre
11 February 2025

The 2025 Montreal Auto Show in 5 Key Moments

The 2025 Montreal Auto Show, presented by iA Auto and Home Insurance, took place from January 17 to 26 at the prestigious Palais des Congrès. Over ten exciting days, nearly 163,000 visitors explored the latest innovations in automotive technologies, particularly those related to electric vehicles. This year’s edition also marked the return of ten iconic brands, welcomed two new market players, and featured many other captivating surprises for car enthusiasts and curious visitors!

Discover the 5 key moments that marked the 80th edition of the Montreal Auto Show:

  • Record Number of Electric Test Drives

This year, no fewer than 25 electric vehicles were available for test drives, allowing 3,577 participants to complete an impressive total of 1,834 tests. This figure sets a new record since the launch of electric test drives at the Auto Show! Participants had the opportunity to experience a unique immersive experience, testing the models on courses specially designed to replicate real driving conditions.

  • The Strong Return of Ten Major Players

In 2025, we were delighted to welcome the return of 10 iconic brands to the Montreal Auto Show: Mercedes-Benz, Subaru, Volvo, Lotus, as well as the prestigious brands of the Stellantis Group – Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM, Fiat, and Alfa Romeo. With their fascinating new releases and exceptional models, these brands were able to capture the public’s attention. Whether it was admiring their vehicles up close or letting their dreams run wild, their presence transformed the show into a spectacular showcase, where automotive excellence met the enthusiasm of enthusiasts.

  • Two First-Time Brands

For the first time at the Auto Show, we had the honor of welcoming Lucid Motors and Polestar, two fully electric brands. In addition to showcasing their exceptional vehicles, these brands also offered visitors the unique opportunity to test certain models during the test drives.

Polestar captivated the audience with its sleek and minimalist booth design, perfectly aligned with the elegance of its vehicles. Lucid Motors, on the other hand, impressed with its models combining modernity and luxury, embodying the future of electric mobility. Leur présence a ajouté une dimension avant-gardiste et prestigieuse à cette édition du Salon. Their presence added an avant-garde and prestigious dimension to this edition of the Auto Show.

  • Numerous Canadian Premieres

This year, we had the honor of unveiling 16 vehicles as Canadian premieres, showcasing the most prominent trends in the automotive industry. Here are some of the models that drew attention:

  • 2025 Buick Enclave Sport Touring and Avenir: Combining elegance and comfort, these models redefine affordable luxury for modern families.
  • 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ (EV) and 2025 OPTIQ (EV): Two electric vehicles that embody Cadillac’s commitment to sustainable mobility, with outstanding performance and cutting-edge onboard technologies.
  • Lamborghini Revuelto: A revolutionary hybrid car, combining power and environmental responsibility, which immediately captured everyone’s attention.
  • 2025 GMC HUMMER EV SUV: With its rugged design and impressive off-road capabilities, this model has redefined the concept of electric vehicles.

In addition to their Canadian premieres, many of these vehicles made a significant impact at the event with their innovation. For example, the 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 (EV) caught attention with its competitive range and modern design, meeting the needs of drivers seeking a reliable and practical electric vehicle.

Their presence at the Montreal Auto Show highlights the shift towards electric and hybrid vehicles, while maintaining a balance between design, performance, and technology.

  • The 12 Best Vehicles in Canada for 2025 by AJAC

The Montreal Auto Show was honored to be selected by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) to host the official unveiling of the 12 Best Vehicles in Canada for 2025The unveiling of the vehicles took place during Media Day, an exclusive event that allowed automotive professionals and enthusiasts to discover the selected models firsthand. A dedicated space to showcase the 12 award-winning models was set up on level 5, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore them up close and appreciate every detail.

Here are the 4 different categories along with the models:

Canadian Car of the Year:

  • Acura Integra Type S
  • Honda Civic
  • Toyota Camry

Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year:

  • Hyundai Santa Fe
  • Mazda CX-70
  • Toyota Land Cruiser

Canadian Electric Car of the Year:

  • BMW i4
  • Fiat 500e
  • Lucid Air

Canadian Electric Utility Vehicle of the Year:

  • Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
  • Kia EV9
  • Mazda CX-70 Plug-In

The winners of the categories for the title of Canadian Car of the Year will be unveiled on Thursday, February 13, 2025, as part of the Canadian International Auto Show (CIAS) in Toronto.

 

What’s coming soon!

The 80th edition of the Montreal Auto Show is over, but automotive events continue! In less than three months, get ready to dive into the future of mobility with the Montreal Electric Vehicle Show (MEVS), taking place from May 2 to 4, 2025, at the brand-new venue of the IGA Stadium in Montreal.

For three days, come explore the latest advancements in electric vehicle technologies, discover innovative models and engage with industry experts. A unique opportunity to experience the future of driving in an unprecedented location.

Mark your calendars and don’t miss this electrifying event!

For more information on the Electric Auto Show, visit: https://www.svem.ca/home.html